What Are the Best Paying Careers for MBA Grads?

If you're a Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate, you can apply for some of the highest-paying careers on the job market. MBA grads can enter senior management positions in the fields of business, finances, science and marketing. Read on for details about profitable careers for MBA degree holders.
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Best-Paying Jobs for MBA Grads

An MBA program can give you detailed knowledge about business strategies, human resources, advertising and operations management. Many programs also allow you to specialize in a career-related topic such as marketing, entrepreneurship or finances. If you hold an MBA, you might enter upper-level management positions at corporations, banks, research companies and public relations firms.

Important Facts About Careers for MBA Grads

Chief Executives

Science Managers

Financial Managers

Marketing Managers

Key Skills

Leadership, decision-making, communication

Problem-solving, time-management, critical-thinking

Analytical, organizational, detail oriented

Interpersonal, organizational, communication

Required Education

Typically at least a bachelor's degree

Ranges from a bachelor's degree to a PhD in a required field

Typically a bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience

At least a bachelor's degree

Work Environment

Local, regional, national, and international offices

Typically a team setting in the field or a laboratory

Commonly full-time in many different industries, such as banking and insurance companies

Market Research Analyst, Public Relations/Fund Raising Manager, Public Relations Specialist

Chief Executive

The role of chief executive is an advanced position that provides very high pay and status. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, however, that the job can be competitive and demanding (www.bls.gov). The number of positions was projected to grow at a slower than average rate of 5% from 2012-2022, according to the BLS, although specific fields, such as health services, should have more job openings. To gain a chief executive position, you might want to earn an Executive MBA, which usually requires you to have managerial experience before starting your graduate program.

According to the BLS, chief executives earned a median yearly wage of $173,320 as of May 2014. The BLS reported that most chief executives worked for companies and enterprises, while local government positions were the second largest source of employment. The top-paying states for chief executives as of May 2014 were North Carolina, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York, and Nebraska, which all had average annual wages over $200,000.

Science Manager

If you're an MBA graduate with an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences, you could become the manager of a pharmaceutical or aerospace research lab or manufacturer. According to the BLS, natural sciences managers earned a median yearly wage of $120,050 as of May 2014.

Knowledge of engineering and computer science combined with a business degree can also lead you to a career as a technology or information systems manager. According to the BLS, positions in this field were predicted to increase faster than average - 15% from 2012-2022. Computer and information systems managers made a median wage of $127,640 annually as of May 2014.

Financial Manager

With your MBA, you can enter the financial sector and work for a bank as a branch manager, credit manager or treasurer. According to the BLS, many employers prefer applicants who have a business administration education as well as strong problem-solving and mathematical skills. According to BLS figures, financial managers earned a median salary of $115,320 per year as of May 2014.

The BLS projected financial management jobs to rise 9% from 2012-2022, which was about average. New York was the highest-paying state for financial managers, with a median annual salary of $175,020 as of May 2014. Delaware and New Jersey also paid workers higher wages, both averaging above $154,000 per year.

Marketing Manager

If you're an MBA grad who also enjoys socializing, you might find a high-paying career as a marketing or public relations manager. You can take on clients and advertise them through a variety of methods, including special events, interviews, social media and television. You can also conduct research on how to best advertise and sell specific products to a particular demographic of buyers. To better stand out in the job market, you might want to earn a concentration in marketing with your MBA.

According to the BLS, public relations managers earned a median salary of $101,510 per year as of May 2014, while marketing managers made a median wage of $127,130. Advertising and promotions managers earned a median income of $96,720 yearly.

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The schools in the listing below are not free and may include sponsored content but are
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choices among our users. Tuition and costs will vary across programs and locations. Be sure to always request tuition information
before
starting a program.